A Magical House in the Trees
Ever wanted to spend the night in a treehouse? Now you can! The charming Tiffany Hill Treehouse in Newbury is available for rent.
This rustic and secluded rental will surprise and delight.
No, you won’t find a scrawled “No girls/boys/parents allowed” sign on the front door but, yes, there is a rope and pulley.
The rope system is entirely optional, however, as this isn’t a typical backyard treehouse—it’s a fully furnished, twobedroom, one-bath, four-season home with all the comforts and amenities you’d expect to find in a structure built on the ground. No sleeping bags or flashlights required (unless you want them, of course).
The fully furnished kitchen and dining area has everything you need to cook and serve meals, including top-of-the-line cookware, dishes, flatware, glasses and more. Owners Caitlin and Patrick Clapp are quick to point out that you won’t be roughing it at this Newbury rental. “This is a luxury treehouse,” Caitlin says. “We get questions about whether it has running water, but it has everything.” “Everything” includes air conditioning, heated tile floors, Wi-Fi, cable, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, a bath with a travertinestone shower and more.
This is a best-of-both-worlds spot— a place that feels secluded without leaving the benefits of civilization behind. Located on five acres, the treehouse is set back from the road down a fairly lengthy driveway. Standing on the upper wraparound deck raised high in the trees (there’s a lower deck complete with a grill), it’s easy to feel like you’ve left the world far behind—but, in reality, you’re less than five minutes from Lake Sunapee (and one minute to the state beach, Caitlin says). The location is central to excellent hiking and, in winter, skiing at Mount Sunapee.
The sense of whimsy comes from more than just the wooded location.
Original owner and builder Gordon Tiff Stanley, who crafted the house in his spare time with the help of a friend over four years, made sure every detail added to the magical feel.
An old saddle was turned into a mirror for the bathroom, which features a natural stone shower.
The walls in this bedroom are made from reclaimed 1800s-era barnwood, and burlap coffee bags were used to make the ceiling tiles.
Made almost entirely from recycled hardware and reclaimed wood, each room is filled with charming details. From the moment you walk through the handcrafted “Hobbit” door, you’ll begin to notice the many small things that make this home special. For instance, the fully appointed kitchen— including top-of-the-line cookware, locally made preserves, sparkling water, snacks and more—features rustic blue cabinets Stanley rescued from a nearby cabin, and a refurbished hay trolley is used as a light. Also in the kitchen is a ship’s porthole that reveals a glimpse of the main oak tree running through the house. Most rooms have these clever little windows, a fun reminder that you’re living among the trees.
Many of the walls are made from reclaimed 1800s-era barnwood, a saddle now serves as a mirror in the bathroom, pieces of trees now support sinks, and a total of 14 windows mean each morning you’ll wake up amid the sounds of the forest.
While the space comfortably sleeps four people, it’s an ideal romantic getaway, Caitlin says. “People use it as a special place to go to celebrate,” she adds. The treehouse has witnessed anniversaries, milestone birthdays, honeymoons and even engagements. You can see why the Clapps jumped at the opportunity to purchase the home when the Stanleys moved to Colorado.
Notice two examples of the windows that offer a peek at the main oak tree that runs through the house. At night, custom lighting makes the house glow.
“I fell in love with it, and it took us a little time to figure out the financial part of it. But after a while, we made the move and took the leap,” Patrick says. He adds that although they’ve made some small improvements here and there, “it’s pretty perfect the way it is,” he says. “We didn’t want to change too much.”
Visit tiffhill.com to begin your cozy treehouse adventure. NHH
By Erica Thoits | Photography Courtesy of David Blohm and Anthony Dolan
